“I challenge you”
Ip Man is best known as the first master to teach Wing Chun. He and his students have spread Wing Chun worldwide. One of them was Bruce Lee. The first movie took place in the late 1930s when Japan invaded China. Because of the war, Ip Man lost everything and he defended the Chinese the best way he could. At the end of the movie, he moves to Hong Kong with his family.
Ip Man 2 picks up with him in Hong Kong struggling to survive. On top of having a second child on the way, he has to deal with rent, with his son’s education and with opening a Wing Chun school. Later on, he also must deal with some British people, notably a boxer, who are insulting Chinese martial arts.
Outsiders stirring trouble is a common theme with the first movie and it’s a theme that is common in many memorable movies such as Pocahontas and Avatar. Ip Man 2 is a masterpiece. It is the best historical martial arts movie I have ever seen. Other movies in the league are Once Upon A Time In China and Fearless, both with Jet Li.
The fight choreography is amazing and really gives justice to Wing Chun and gives Ip Man the credit he deserves.
Donnie Yen has given a boost in his performance of Ip Man since the first movie. One of the things I greatly appreciated in this sequel is that Ip Man is clearly not invincible and Donnie Yen makes that very believable. In the first movie, he never had a scratch on him or even dirt on his clothes. The combination of strength and weaknesses makes it all more credible.
When the first movie was made, it was planned to be the first movie of a trilogy. However, Donnie Yen has expressed disinterest in a third installment stating that this movie will be an instant classic. The third movie was going to focus on the relationship between Ip Man and Bruce Lee. Ip Man 2 already ends with the appearance of Bruce Lee.
I am inclined to agree with Donnie Yen. A third chapter will almost certainly taint everything and they should stop while they’re at the top.
Good:
- Fight scenes
- Character struggles
- Soundtrack
- Camera work and filming style: cinematography
Overall, this movie places itself in the must-see category. As Donnie says, it’s an instant classic. It’s all about the values of honor and respect.
“What’s more important? To be the best or to eat with your family?”
Here’s the trailer: